Output regulation of internal combustion engine alternator by mechanical means

Abstract

A permanent magnet alternator employing a mechanically regulated output. The alternator contains a rotor, or a flywheel which houses a plurality of permanent magnets. A rotating magnetic flux field is created by the rotation of the flywheel. A stator assembly, including a plurality of windings or coils is disposed concentrically with the rotor and adjacent to the rotating flux field. The coils produce an electrical output based on their exposure to the rotating flux field. A control assembly is disposed concentrically within the stator assembly. The stator assembly is rotatably coupled to the control assembly and becomes axially displaced relative to the magnetic flux field as a result of rotation relative to the control assembly.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An alternator with a mechanically regulated output comprising: 
       a permanent magnet rotor adapted for coupling with, and rotation by, a shaft to create a rotating magnetic flux field;  
       a substantially annular stator assembly disposed adjacent the magnetic flux field and concentric with the rotor, the stator including a plurality of windings disposed on the stator for the generation of electrical current in response to the rotating magnetic flux field; and  
       a mechanical control assembly coupled to the stator wherein the stator assembly and the control assembly are rotatable relative to each other within a predetermined angular range, and wherein the stator assembly is simultaneously axially displaced relative to the magnetic flux field by relative rotation of the stator assembly and the control assembly based upon an operating parameter of an engine.  
     
     
       2. The alternator of claim  1 , further comprising a flywheel, wherein the permanent magnet rotor is disposed on an inner periphery of the flywheel. 
     
     
       3. The alternator of claim  1 , further comprising at least one follower element on the stator assembly, and wherein the control assembly includes a control surface comprising at least one substantially helical groove, wherein the at least one follower element is disposed within the at least one helical groove. 
     
     
       4. The alternator of claim  3 , wherein the at least one substantially helical groove defines a linear relationship between angular rotation of the stator assembly relative to the control assembly and axial displacement of the stator assembly relative to the magnetic flux field. 
     
     
       5. The alternator of claim  3 , wherein the at least one substantially helical groove defines a non-linear relationship between angular rotation of the stator assembly relative to the control assembly and axial displacement of the stator assembly relative the magnetic flux field. 
     
     
       6. The alternator of claim  1 , further comprising at least one follower element on the control assembly, and wherein the stator assembly comprises at least one substantially helical groove, wherein the at least one follower element is disposed within the at least one helical groove. 
     
     
       7. The alternator of claim  1 , wherein the control assembly includes a control surface comprising a first set of multiple threads, and wherein an inside periphery of the stator assembly includes a second set of multiple threads which mate with the first set of multiple threads. 
     
     
       8. The alternator of claim  1 , wherein the control assembly includes a stationary member and the stator assembly rotates relative to the stationary member. 
     
     
       9. The alternator of claim  8 , further comprising a positioning member coupled to the stator assembly for inducing angular displacement of the stator assembly. 
     
     
       10. The alternator of claim  9 , wherein the positioning member is coupled to a throttle control member. 
     
     
       11. The alternator of claim  1 , wherein the operating parameter is engine speed. 
     
     
       12. The alternator of claim  1 , wherein the operating parameter is throttle position. 
     
     
       13. An alternator with a mechanically regulated output comprising: 
       a flywheel adapted for coupling with and rotation by a shaft;  
       a permanent magnet rotor disposed on the flywheel for creating a magnetic flux field;  
       a substantially annular stator assembly concentrically disposed adjacent the magnetic flux field, the stator assembly having a follower element disposed thereon, and a plurality of windings for generating electrical current;  
       a control assembly concentrically disposed with respect to the stator assembly, the control assembly having a substantially helical groove, wherein the follower element engages the substantially helical groove; and  
       a positioning member coupled to the stator assembly and positionable based upon an operating parameter of an engine for inducing rotational motion of the stator assembly relative to the control assembly within a predetermined angular range, and wherein the stator assembly is simultaneously axially displaced relative to the magnetic flux field when the stator assembly is rotated relative to the control assembly.  
     
     
       14. The alternator of claim  13 , wherein the flywheel configured to be drivingly coupled to an internal combustion engine. 
     
     
       15. The alternator of claim  13 , wherein the stator assembly includes a plurality of follower elements, each follower element engaging a respective helical groove of the control assembly. 
     
     
       16. The alternator of claim  13 , wherein the helical groove defines a substantially linear relationship between the operating parameter of the engine and the axial position of the stator. 
     
     
       17. The alternator of claim  16 , wherein the operating parameter is a throttle setting. 
     
     
       18. The alternator of claim  16 , wherein the operating parameter is engine speed.